What is the Height of an Average House?
Everyone’s house is unique and this is how it should be.
After all, we all lead different lives and have different personalities. So it makes sense that the places we live will be a little different, too.
However, there may be times when you wonder ‘how tall is a house?’ or ‘what is the average house height?’
While house height in the UK can vary significantly depending on the type of property it is and where it’s located, we can still determine an average house height.
In this article, we’ll examine the height of an average house, while also discussing the differences between the various property types.
What is the average house height?
So, how tall is a house in the UK?
Well, on average you can expect a standard UK house to have a height of roughly 8-10 metres. This is 26-33 feet from the ground level to the roof if you prefer using those dimensions.
However, the total building height will unsurprisingly vary depending on how many storeys the property has.
Let’s take a closer look at some of the options.
How tall is a one storey house?
Single storey properties, also known as bungalows, have a wide range of advantages. Their benefits include being easier to maintain, lower overall costs and simple to navigate for the elderly or those with mobility issues as there are no stairs as the property’s living space is all on the ground floor.
On average, the overall height of a single storey house will be around 3-4.5 metres tall or 10-15 feet depending on the roof design.
How tall is a two storey house?
Most people live in two storey houses, and this is the most common type of residential property in the country. The interior design of these houses can vary wildly with varying floorplans and the number of bedrooms the most common differences.
However, as previously mentioned, the average house height for a two storey property stands at around 8-10 metres or 26-33 feet, providing it hasn’t undergone a house extension.
How tall is a three storey house?
While not as common as two or even one storey properties, three storey houses can be purchased in the UK.
They’re more closely associated with the USA where houses are larger and the floor area bigger in general, but if you have the budget then you can get your hands on properties of this size here in the UK.
On average, the overall height of these properties will be anywhere between 33-40 feet or 10-12 metres high.
In some cases, they can reach up to 15 metres high, usually as a result of high ceilings or roof height and design.
What impacts house height in the UK?
While we’ve discussed the height of an average house in the sections above, it’s important to note that there are a number of factors that influence this.
House height in the UK can depend on a wide range of things including the following:
Planning regulations
One of the main considerations regarding house height in the UK is building regulations and planning permissions. This legislation will determine a whole host of sizes and dimensions regarding your property build.
This includes the overall floor space, setbacks, the plot coverage and, of course, the permitted height. The purpose of planning regulations is to ensure that the building process aligns with the existing look of the area, meets environmental requirements and doesn’t cause disruption to existing communities.
These guidelines are extremely important and must be followed at all times. If they’re ignored, you could face legal penalties and the construction could be shut down.
Land cost
The cost of land not only impacts house sizes but can also impact how tall a house is. For example, if a lot of money has been spent on a plot of land, there may not be much left in the budget for a particularly large property.
Therefore, people may opt to build a smaller house in order to save costs. This could impact the height as only one storey might be considered, but people might also decide to build vertically with multiple stories to save space.
The availability of land could also influence the height of a house. In areas where there is limited land, houses might have to be smaller as a necessity.
Property styles
The overall architectural style of a house can also impact its size. These days, houses and residential properties are available in a whole host of shapes and sizes, both inside and out.
Floor plans, bedroom designs, room layouts, door sizes and even ceiling height will all dictate what the size of the property will be.
Traditional houses will likely have different styles to more modern, contemporary architecture, and so the size will probably vary depending on what kind you go for as too will you find varying ceiling heights.
Lifestyle choices
The size of a house may also depend on the lifestyle or demographic of those who are going to inhabit it.
Factors including the number of people in the family, the composition of a family and cultural differences could all impact floor plans, the number of bedrooms and bathrooms, living spaces such as the living room and more.
With all of this in mind, the height of the house is likely to be influenced.
Economic factors
It’s no secret that property prices can fluctuate dramatically. And the same can be said for those looking for land to build a property on.
Costs will soon add up when you consider construction costs, land prices, labour and the general market demand as well as the initial budget of those conducting the build.
These economic factors may have an influence on how tall the house ends up being. For instance, if money is tight people might consider smaller, more compact spaces whereas those who don’t need to worry so much about finances will be able to splash out on a bigger property or a loft conversion that might require a new roof.
Sustainability
Environmental concerns have greater prominence than ever before, with individuals and corporations doing all they can to minimise damage to the planet.
With climate change impacting communities around the world, more sustainable practices have made their way into the construction and house-building sector.
Regulations surrounding energy efficiency could result in smaller floor plans, space being used more efficiently and more environmentally friendly building materials being utilised. All of these considerations are likely to have an overall impact on the size of a property and it’s floor space.
One thing to bear in mind is that in properties that have taken a huge focus on energy efficiency, the ceiling height in rooms may be deceptive in gauging the overall height of the building. It is likely these ceilings could be lowered leaving a cavity that can be filled with insulation, so estimating the total height of the house should be done from the outside.
Location
The location of your property could also impact its height and size.
Throughout the UK, different local authorities have different building regulations, meaning people will face various challenges when it comes to building their homes. The local climate, historical context of the area and suitable building techniques and practices will be taken into account and will likely inform what the regulations are.
This could result in the size of a house being influenced. Building regulations also change and evolve over time, meaning it’s wise to make sure you’re fully across the latest developments in your area to ensure you’re complying.
Most local authorities will have this information readily available on their websites.
What type of ladders do I need for my house?
One of the main reasons why people wonder ‘how tall is a house?’ is because they may want to understand the size of the ladder they’ll need to carry out work on the property.
After all, measuring a house isn’t an easy task so having a rough idea of the average house height is always worthwhile.
As most people live in a two storey property, typically consisting of a ground level with a first floor with the building’s overall height being around 8-10 metres or 26-33 feet, a ladder, or more ideally extension ladders, that reaches to 8 metres or above is your best bet to make sure you can scale a property safely.
With so many different kinds of properties available, it’s important to understand the specifics of yours. At UK Home Improvement, we’re home to a whole host of blogs and articles that can provide you with advice, DIY tips and more on how to keep the interior and exterior of your property in the best possible condition. Simply click here to find out more.
